Silly Science Fiction Films

Are you feeling burned out, exhausted by the economic news, or just plain worn out by the mundane day-to-day dreariness of life of earth? Maybe what you need is some out of this world silliness! Here are four—two spoofs and two takes on Rip Van Winkle—quick pick-me-ups that can turn those sad sobs into extraterrestrial tear of laughter

[3]Galaxy Quest[4]
Twenty years after their series was cancelled, the cast of the television show “Galaxy Quest” are still appearing at conventions. They’ve been dealing with fans for decades, but they are not quite prepared when some hitherto unknown extraterrestrial fans show up at a convention and ask for their assistance in defeating a powerful enemy. If you love Star Trek[5] or if you hate Star Trek[5], you’ll love Galaxy Quest[4].

Miles Monroe is in quite a predicament when he wakes up. A health food fanatic, he goes in for minor surgery on an ulcer and wakes up two hundred years later, only to be told that science now knows that hot fudge sundaes are healthy and Tiger’s Milk is bad for you. He has little chance to regret his previous food choices, however, as he’s soon caught up in the movement to overthrow the oppressive government. Of course this means being pursued by the oppressive police, strangely reminiscent of the Keystone Kops[8], to a soundtrack by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band[9].

Can space adventurer Lone Starr and his trusty sidekick Barf save Princess Vespa and her home world of Druidia from the evil Dark Helmet and the rest of the galactic villains, Spaceballs? Perhaps they can, but only with the help of the power of the Schwartz as taught by master Yogurt. Now, this may sound like it’s been done before[12], but think of the merchandizing possibilities!

[13]Red Dwarf [14]
If you woke up from suspended animation onboard a derelict mining ship far from Earth to discover that you were the last human alive, whom you like for company? That’s the fix food service repair technician Dave Lister finds himself in. The rest of the crew of Jupiter Mining Corporation’s ship Red Dwarf was killed in an accident three million years ago, and the ship has been adrift ever since. Dave doesn’t have a chance to get lonely, though, because he’s soon greeted by a hologram of his former cabin mate and supervisor Arnold Rimmer. Arnold is the last person, or projection of a person, that Dave wants to see. He can’t stand Rimmer, and the feeling is mutual. The only other living creature aboard is one that evolved from Dave’s pet cat. And there’s Holly, the ship’s computer to talk with, but Dave really wishes the hologram of Rimmer would turn into the more eye-pleasing form of crew member Kristine Kochanski.